Gas Explosion Claims One Life, Injures 9 Others in Ebonyi

According to eyewitness accounts, the gas explosion happened when a student answered a phone call while cooking near a gas cylinder, sparking a fire that resulted in severe burns to ten students.

Abakaliki, Nigeria – A tragic gas explosion at the Good Shepherd Catering School in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has claimed the life of Miss Mary Cynthia Ikelegu and left nine other students severely injured.

The incident occurred at the school’s kitchen, which is affiliated with the Catholic Church.

Miss Ikelegu succumbed to her injuries on Saturday evening at the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital (AE-FUTHA), where she had been on life support since Thursday morning following the explosion.

According to eyewitness accounts, the gas explosion happened when a student answered a phone call while cooking near a gas cylinder, sparking a fire that resulted in severe burns to ten students. Some of the victims were reportedly burnt beyond recognition.

The victims were initially rushed to the police clinic at the Abakaliki Police Headquarters but were later transferred to AE-FUTHA for advanced medical care. Of the ten affected students, five were placed on life support.

Among the injured is 17-year-old Chisom Nwizi, the daughter of Emmanuel Nwizi, a staff member of the Nigerian Television Authority in Abakaliki. Speaking about the incident, Nwizi expressed hope for his daughter’s recovery and called on the government and kind-hearted individuals for assistance.

“I received a call around 6:30 AM informing me that the kitchen section of the school had caught fire. When I arrived, I learned that the victims had been taken to the police clinic and then transferred to AE-FUTHA. My daughter sustained severe burns, but I am hopeful she will survive,” Nwizi said.

He praised the school authorities, particularly the Reverend Sisters managing the catering school, for their unwavering support during the crisis. “The school has not asked any parent for money, focusing instead on saving lives. The Reverend Sisters stayed at the hospital until midnight. Their dedication is truly commendable.”